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Senior figures at the Premier League club believe they are at the front of the queue to sign the Barcelona No.10 if he becomes available, but the manager is not so keen
Pep Guardiola has ruled out the possibility of signing Lionel Messi for Manchester City, and says he would rather the Argentine stays in Barcelona until the end of his career.
It has been reported that Messi is open to the idea of leaving Barca when his contract expires in 2018, and it is an open secret that City believe they are at the front of the queue to sign him should the opportunity ever arise.
But when asked about that eventuality, Guardiola not only says it will not happen, but that he would actually be against the idea.
“I've said this more than once," he answered. "Messi is going to end his career at Barcelona. And that's what I profoundly wish, that he ends his career in Barcelona."
Guardiola helped Messi become the best player in the world during their time together at Camp Nou between 2008 and 2012.
Messi has been linked with moves away from Barca at various points since Guardiola left the club, and City have tried to ensure they would be in pole position if that were to ever happen.
The club are understood to have held a meeting with Messi's father, Jorge, in Sao Paulo before Barca signed Neymar, and were also keen to show off their City Football Academy, which had only just been opened, when Messi's Argentina side trained there ahead of a friendly with Portugal at Old Trafford in 2014.
Why Guardiola says he wants Messi to retire at Barcelona
Sam Lee
Nov 25, 2016 16:02:28
Manchester City officials have been trying to put themselves in the best possible position to sign the Argentine for years, but apparently their manager does not want it to happen
COMMENT
For a man who once famously crowned Jose Mourinho as the “f***ing boss” of press conferences, Pep Guardiola certainly knows how to work a room of journalists.
Italy sensation Belotti is Europe's most complete No.9
Since arriving in England, Guardiola has charmed the press with his often light-hearted but always engaging answers, but he has not been shy in letting them know if there are areas in which they should not tread.
That is why nobody had asked about the possibility of Yaya Toure’s return ahead of last weekend’s game at Crystal Palace, as he had shut down previous attempts by curtly replying “you know the situation”. And nobody will ask about the chances of winning all available trophies after his famous ‘what the f***’ response to being asked about the quadruple.
On Friday he was more polite regarding the prospect of signing Lionel Messi, but he certainly does not want the idea to be too closely entertained. He has been asked about it before, but was maybe not as forceful as he could have been.
“I've said this more than once," he stated this time around. "Messi is going to end his career at Barcelona. And that's what I profoundly wish, that he ends his career in Barcelona."
If that is Guardiola’s wish, it most certainly is not Manchester City’s. The club have spent the past several years working their way into pole position should Messi ever be made available.
City’s training ground, opened in late 2014, had barely been designed, and their two Premier League titles had not yet been won when owner Sheikh Mansour and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak first considered the idea of signing Messi.
High-profile City officials held an informal meeting with Jorge Messi, Lionel’s father, in Sao Paulo more than five years ago, when news first emerged that Barcelona were plotting a move for Neymar.
Messi’s camp had been concerned about the Spanish club’s desire to pursue another superstar and City were keen to explore the lay of the land.
It was suggested at the time that City then launched their own move for Neymar, 12 months ahead of Barca’s planned bid, with the sole intention of accelerating the Brazilian’s move to Camp Nou. It was a mischievous attempt at thrusting Neymar and Messi into the same spotlight.
If that was the plan then it backfired, as Neymar has been nothing but reverential to Messi since his arrival in 2012 and the two, along with Luis Suarez, have forged one of the most fearsome forward lines in football history.
But City have never given up hope and have always been ready to have conversations whenever Messi has dropped hints in the press that he was less than happy with life in Spain - and that has happened surprisingly often.
Messi first trailed the “things can change a lot in football” line in 2014 ahead of Argentina’s friendly against Portugal in Manchester. “While I have always said I would like to stay there [at Barcelona] forever, sometimes things don't work out the way you would like,” he added, sending the world’s football reporters into meltdown.
City then opened up the doors of the then brand new City Football Academy to Messi and his Argentina team-mates, and made sure the star of the team was impressed.
A year down the line, in late 2015, it was widely reported that Messi’s representatives were putting the feelers out around Europe, trying to gauge the interest of the continent’s biggest spenders, as his tax trial continued.
Around that time it was rumoured that Paris Saint-Germain chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi realised he had no chance of signing Messi after he had learned the extent of the competition from his counterpart Al Mubarak at City.
Sure enough, this year we have had another round of headlines suggesting Messi is less than enamoured with life in Barcelona. This time he is said to be open to leaving the club in 2018 when his contract expires.
That the claim was made in Madrid-based newspaper Marca made some wary, and sources closer to Barca have suggested he will open contract talks, as planned, in the New Year, but City will have been keeping firmly abreast of the situation, as they always have done.
Indeed, it was quickly reported that the Blues were putting together a financial package to tempt Messi to Manchester, one that would also send Barca into panic mode, given they could never hope to match it.
City have always known the difficulty of signing him and the chances are that he will end up signing his new deal at the start of next year.
That, seemingly, is exactly what Guardiola wants.
If that truly is the case, and Messi does eventually say he wants to leave Barcelona, it would be humorous to see the reaction in City’s boardroom when Guardiola says not to make a move.
But surely the reality is that Guardiola is just as keen as the rest of City’s power brokers to bring Messi to the Etihad Stadium - he just doesn’t want to be asked about it again.
The Blues skipper has endured an injury-ravaged 2016-17 campaign and is set for more time on the sidelines with a muscle complaint
Chelsea captain John Terry is set for up to three weeks on the sidelines after suffering a muscle injury.
The centre-back only recently returned to action after shaking off an ankle problem he sustained against Swansea City in September.
Terry has been limited to six minutes of Premier League action since, though he did play the entire game in Chelsea's EFL Cup defeat to West Ham last month.
The 35-year-old featured for Chelsea's Under-23 side on Monday, but will now not be available for at least the next fortnight.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's meeting with London rivals Tottenham, manager Antonio Conte said: "For tomorrow Terry and [John Obi] Mikel aren't available.
"John has a muscular problem and Obi will train with us again next week.
"It's a pity [for Terry] because he recovered well from his last injury and now he has to start again."
Winger Willian has not featured for Chelsea since the win at Southampton last month.
The Brazil international has been linked with a reunion with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.
But Conte said: "Willian has come back, now it's important to find good form because in this period he was unlucky.
"It's important now to be focused on the work, Willian is an important player for us and I count on him a lot."
Manchester United will get back to the top, insists club legend Giggs
Dec 1, 2016 18:17:13
The Red Devils icon admits supporters are 'not used' to the current struggles, but is confident that success will be achieved within the next two seasons
Ryan Giggs is convinced that Manchester United will get ‘back to the top’ of English football, but admits the struggles endured since Sir Alex Ferguson departed have come as something of a shock.
The Red Devils bid farewell to their iconic manager as Premier League champions, but soon found themselves on a slippery slope.
'Utd not good enough for top four'
David Moyes came and went inside 10 months, while Louis van Gaal returned the club to the Champions League and tasted FA Cup success, but was also ushered through the exits after only two years at the helm.
Jose Mourinho, as a proven winner of major honours, was drafted in to rekindle the spark at Old Trafford, but he has also found the going tough and has overseen the club’s worst start to a season since 1990-91.
Giggs concedes a humbling fall from grace has been tough to stomach, but the Welshman remains convinced that United will work their way back to the domestic summit inside the next 18 months.
He told Sport magazine: “There was always going to be a change, because of Sir Alex’s power, his influence in that successful period, and it was just how you combatted that.
“Now obviously David Moyes came in, Louis van Gaal came in, and now Mourinho’s come in – so I’m not surprised because the influence Sir Alex had on the team was so strong.
“When you go from champions to like, seventh and then fourth and fifth, it’s not what United fans are used to. But it’s about getting back to the top. Whether that’s this year or next year, I’m sure they’ll do it.
“Obviously the longer it goes, the more pressure is on the team.”
Giggs believes positive steps can still be taken this year, despite United sitting eight points adrift of the top four at present and 11 behind table-topping Chelsea.
He added: “I think it’s a really open league this year, and I don’t think they’re in a really bad position.
“It’s one of those seasons where people are just going to change their minds all the way through – at the moment Liverpool are on fire, at the start it was City, then it was Tottenham.
"It’s just a really close league. United would probably hope to be doing better, but they’re definitely not out of it.”
'No Europe gives Chelsea title advantage over Man City'
Dom Farrell
Dec 1, 2016 14:21:00
Mike Summerbee believes that Antonio Conte could have the edge in the title race given that there is no Champions League or Europa League participation for his side
Manchester City legend Mike Summerbee concedes that Chelsea will have a fitness edge in the race for the Premier League title ahead of the sides' blockbuster meeting on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte will go head-to-head in a hotly-anticipated clash of styles, with Chelsea having recently displaced early front-runners City at the top of the league thanks to seven straight victories in the Italian's favoured 3-4-3 system.
City boss Guardiola has chopped and changed formations this season as he has got to grips with his players, as well as juggling their domestic campaign and Champions League duties.
After their Premier League title defence imploded last term, Chelsea are not faced with continental commitments in 2016-17, something Conte has highlighted as an advantage as he has imposed a system on the Blues that remains exotic in English football.
Though stopping short of pegging Saturday's early kick-off at the Etihad Stadium as a title decider - City and Liverpool are just a point behind table-toppers Chelsea - legendary City winger turned club ambassador Summerbee believes the signs from Stamford Bridge are ominous.
Summerbee told Omnisport: "I think we're talking a little bit prematurely about title races, it's very early days. But Chelsea have come out and they're doing very, very well under this new manager.
"But what we have to look at as well is that they're not in the Champions League. From one week to another... when they come into the FA Cup, fair enough, but the Champions League is very demanding and we're in that.
"It does help a side like Chelsea, with a new manager, to not be in the Champions League and look forward to one game a week to lift the side.
"For us it's very different, playing game after game after game. Being in the Champions League is fantastic. I'm not saying anything against it but it is an advantage for a side not in the Champions League challenging for a top-four place."
By contrast to Conte, Guardiola comes into the Saturday's meeting having had a full week to prepare for a game for the first time since the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
And Summerbee believes that the Catalan will thrive from such exposure to his players, having followed the team on their pre-season tour of China.
"The first thing that you see is that he's a gentleman, he's a nice man, he's hands on," Summerbee said.
"When they're training and they're practicing he's on the pitch with them going through different situations with them and you can see the players responding.
"Every day is a different day. They're training and they do things differently, which keeps the mind focused.
"He's very much a person I admire. I watched him as a manager when he was at Bayern Munich and at Barcelona. You can't do anything else but admire a man who can make teams play that way and entertain that way.
"The change he's brought to Manchester City has been really automatic. It's not as if it's taken over a period of time; he's done it in a short period of time.
"There's a long way to go, he probably wants to do more with the squad of players and enlighten them more into how he wants to play but, at the moment, he's playing a good system."
Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho is facing more than five weeks out of action after sustaining an ankle injury in Saturday's Premier League win over Sunderland, manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.
The Brazil international was sent for a scan at Spire Hospital on Merseyside after being substituted during the first half of the 2-0 victory at Anfield.
Coutinho, who arrived for those tests with his right foot in a heavy brace, is likely to be sidelined until January after the extent of the damage was confirmed.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool's EFL Cup quarter-final with Leeds United on Tuesday, Klopp told BBC Radio 5 live: "Phil needs between five and a few weeks until we have him back. We will see. He is not in for tonight and for the next few games."
Coutinho has been one of the standout performers of the Premier League this season, with five goals and five assists helping Klopp's side to stay within a point of leaders Chelsea after 13 matches.
He is expected to miss at least their next five matches, including the derby against Everton on December 19, although there is a chance that he could be available for a key clash with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City on December 31.
Speaking before the clash with Leeds at Anfield, Klopp said: "Phil Coutinho is a really good football player. So if we cannot use him for the next few days or weeks, each team in the world would feel it, that's how it is.
"But of course I can say now there is no excuse for anything. As good as he is, he cannot decide games by himself, even when it looks sometimes like this because he takes the ball, dribbles and shoots.
"But then it's only a goal or whatever, then everybody has to defend so it's really a team performance that we create."
Manchester United and Liverpool kept apart in EFL Cup draw
30 November 2016
Manchester United and Liverpool could face each other in the EFL Cup final after they were kept apart in the semi-final draw.
The great rivals are the highest-placed sides left in the competition after Southampton shocked Arsenal on Wednesday to earn a two-legged tie with Jurgen Klopp's side.
United will play Hull City home and away for a place at Wembley.
Jose Mourinho's men required a stoppage-time winner from Marcus Rashford earlier this season to see off the Tigers, who reached a first League Cup semi-final in club history by beating Newcastle United on penalties on Tuesday.
Liverpool and Southampton met in this competition last season, with the Anfield side thrashing the Saints 6-1 at St Mary's Stadium, where the first leg in that tie will be held.
The first legs of the ties will be held on the week commencing January 9, with the following games a fortnight later.
Arsenal will be without midfielder Santi Cazorla for another three months after the club decided he should undergo ankle surgery.
The 31-year-old has already missed six weeks of action since suffering the injury in the Champions League match against Ludogorets on October 19.
After the problem did not heal as quickly as Arsenal had hoped, Cazorla will undergo surgery in Sweden next week in a bid to fully resolve the issue.
Arsenal's timeframe would mean Cazorla will not return to action until the start of March, for the closing stages of the 2016-17 season.
"The club's medical team and specialists have decided that surgery is required to the plantaris tendon in the Spain international's right foot," read Arsenal's statement on Thursday.
"The problem has not progressed during a rehabilitation programme following the injury.
"We expect Santi's full recovery to take approximately three months. Everyone at the club will be working hard with Santi to make sure he's back on the pitch as soon as possible."
The development comes as a major blow to manager Arsene Wenger, who stressed last week the club were missing Cazorla having won only one of their last five games across all competitions.
Per Mertesacker and Danny Welbeck are among Arsenal's other long-term injury absentees.
Liverpool join unfortunate group after Bournemouth collapse
4 December 2016
Liverpool have joined a small and unfortunate group of Premier League sides who have lost after holding a 2-0 lead at half-time.
Jurgen Klopp's men were stunned by Bournemouth on Sunday as the hosts scored three times in the final 14 minutes to snatch a 4-3 win in a thrilling contest at the Vitality Stadium.
Liverpool's collapse was only the 23rd time in 1,062 matches in Premier League history that a team has lost after holding such a half-time advantage. That's just 2.2 per cent.
The subject began to trend on UK social media after former England striker Gary Lineker questioned why a 2-0 advantage should be considered a "dangerous" scoreline for the winning team.
He tweeted: "When did 2-0 up become a dangerous score? Hear it so often now. Would like to know percentage of games lost from there? Suspect not high [sic]."
Lineker followed up his comment with a second tweet shortly after Emre Can put Liverpool 3-1 ahead, which read: "Oh no! Liverpool are 3-1 up with a great goal from Can. A truly terrifying scoreline."
He added at full-time: "WOW. Guess those percentages just shifted slightly. Well played Bournemouth."
The former Croatia boss had been reported to be in line for the sack after a poor run of results but he retains the full backing of the board, according to co-owner David Sullivan
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan has rubbished suggestions that the club have held crisis talks with manager Slaven Bilic after the club's 5-1 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend.
The Hammers have endured a nightmare start to the 2016-17 season following their move to the London Stadium; the club are currently one point above the relegation zone after 14 games.
Newspaper reports on Monday suggested that Bilic’s job was subsequently hanging by a thread, with talks scheduled to discuss the Croatian’s future.
Sullivan, though, says that while a phone call took place, Bilic has the full backing of the board as the season progresses.
“There simply are are no crisis talks. That is not true – just not the case at all,” he told West Ham news site ClaretAndHugh.
“We have a regular Monday morning phone call to each other and that was again the case today.
“It was a little longer than usual as we are both extremely worried about things, but the board is solidly behind the manager.”
It is understood that Bilic and the club are now willing to reshuffle the club’s backroom staff in the coming months, after publicly criticising the lack of intensity of his players in training.
Julian Dicks, the former Hammers player, is one whose future may come under intense scrutiny, while Miljenko Rak, the club’s fitness coach, could also face questions over his employment.
Bans confirmed for Man City trio Aguero, Fernandinho and Otamendi
Joe Wright
Dec 5, 2016 14:53:59
Pep Guardiola is set to be without his star striker for four games, Brazilian midfield enforcer for three and his Argentine centre-half for one fixture
The Football Association has confirmed that Manchester City trio Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi are to serve four, three and one-match bans respectively.
Aguero is facing four games on the sidelines following his red card against Chelsea on Saturday.
The Argentina international was sent off for a reckless challenge on David Luiz in injury time of Manchester City's 3-1 defeat to the Premier League leaders at the Etihad Stadium.
The FA updated the disciplinary page on their official website on Monday, verifying that Aguero has been given a suspension that will rule him out of matches against champions Leicester City, Watford, Arsenal and Hull City.
It is the second time Aguero has been punished for violent conduct this season, prompting the lengthier ban, after he was given a retrospective red card for elbowing West Ham's Winston Reid in August.
Team-mate Fernandinho has received a three-match suspension after he was sent off for pushing Cesc Fabregas over the advertising boards in the fracas that followed Aguero's challenge.
Finally, Otamendi has been handed a one-game ban after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.
The Argentine will be missing for Saturday’s trip to reigning Premier League champions Leicester.
Pep Guardiola will be forced to shuffle his pack as a result, with three experienced figures ruled out of his plans down the spine of his City side.
Chelsea set new Premier League record with winning run
Dec 11, 2016 14:20:02
Antonio Conte's side league leaders have not dropped points since being beaten by Arsenal back in September, a run they have achieved for a record fifth time
Chelsea's 1-0 win over West Brom extended the Blues' winning run to nine games, the fifth time the club have won nine or more games in a row, which is also a new Premier League record.
A single goal by Diego Costa was enough to give Antonio Conte's side victory and moves them three points clear at the top of the table.
The Blues have not dropped points since being beaten by Arsenal back in September, a run that has included victories over champions Leicester, Manchester United, Tottenham and Manchester City.
However, this is not the first time Chelsea have achieved such a remarkable run, they also won nine games in a row in 2007 and 2005 - on their way to the title.
Conte's side will now be hoping to extend that run to 10 games, a feat they also achieved in 2009, when they face Sunderland before taking on Crystal Palace next Saturday.
'It looks like nothing dangerous' - Mourinho provides injury update on Mkhitaryan
Stephen Creek
Dec 11, 2016 17:18:58
The Manchester United manager has confirmed the attacking midfielder, who was stretchered off against Tottenham on Sunday, has avoided picking up a serious knock
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has revealed Henrikh Mkhitaryan avoided picking up a serious injury during the 1-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday.
The Armenian gave United the lead after 29 minutes of Sunday's Premier League game to build on his recent string of encouraging performances, but had to be carried off on a stretcher after going over on his left ankle when challenged by Danny Rose in the 85th minute.
But Mourinho has calmed fears Mkhitaryan will be out for a while, predicting he will miss their next two games against Crystal Palace and West Brom but should return for the Boxing Day clash against Sunderland.
He told MUTV: "It looks like the next match no, but it looks like nothing really dangerous or needing surgery.
"Hopefully we will have Mickey on Boxing Day."
Mkhitaryan's goal marked his first in the Premier League since joining from Borussia Dortmund and came after he opened his account for the club in the 2-0 win over Zorya Luhansk on Thursday that sealed United's passage into the last 32 of the Europa League.
Puel confirms lengthy Austin lay-off for Southampton
Stefan Coerts
Dec 11, 2016 18:07:26
The Southampton striker faces an extended spell on the sidelines after he missed the win over Middlesbrough on Sunday
Claude Puel has confirmed Southampton striker Charlie Austin will be out of action for three to four months with a shoulder injury.
Austin was absent as the Saints secured a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on Sunday to bounce back from crashing out of the Europa League against Hapoel Be'er Sheva on Thursday.
And, in his post-match press conference, Puel confirmed the severity of the forward's latest setback.
The 27-year-old joined from QPR in January and has scored 10 goals for the club in all competitions as a series of fitness concerns have hampered his involvement.
Puel was, however, delighted to see his side return to winning ways on Sunday, with Sofiane Boufal's second-half strike the difference.
"In the first half we did not play with good fluency, but in the second half we were always strong and had good quality on the pitch," Puel told reporters.
"We changed the system, it was a very good second half and we deserved more goals.
"It is an important result after the disappointment of going out of the Europa League. The three points are very important and it is always important after a disappointment to win the next game so we showed good character."
Boufal delivered the win with a sublime long-range strike and Puel was full of praise for the Morocco international.
"Boufal is a fantastic player - his qualities are fantastic," Puel added. "He can become an important player for the squad."
Boro boss Aitor Karanka, meanwhile, refused to point the finger at any of his players for their defeat.
"We did almost everything, I cannot say anything about the players," Karanka told reporters. "We kept working but in the Premier League you have to score your chances.
"We finished the first half well and I said we had to keep that intensity but they started the second half better than us. But we are improving and growing, especially in defence."
'Shut up and do your job!' - Carragher's advice for Karius
Dec 11, 2016 18:16:07
The Liverpool legend responded to the current Reds goalkeeper's retort to fellow Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville after yet another high-profile mistake at Anfield on Sunday
Loris Karius is taking stick from all sides recently, and he certainly felt the full force of Jamie Carragher's ire as the Sky Sports pundit let rip during half time of the game against West Ham United.
Karius should have done better with Dimitri Payet's free kick, which levelled the scores at Anfield, and the former Liverpool defender did not mince his words about the incident at the interval.
The German shot stopper hit out during the week at Gary Neville's criticism of his role in Liverpool's collapse at Bournemouth, but Carragher said he should stick to doing his talking on the pitch.
"The ‘keeper got criticism last week and has come out and had a pop at Gary Neville and mentioned me and my advice would be: ‘Shut up and just do your job,' Carragher said on Sky Sports at half-time.
"And doing your job and answering your critics would be saving that [Payet’s free kick]. That is not difficult, I think the positioning is fine, he gets across and reads it well and he is there.
"And his wrists, again like the first goal at Bournemouth, are not strong enough. It is not even in the corner and Payet has not even hit it that hard."
As news spread of Carragher's outburst he quickly took to Twitter to ask reporters to pose the questions to Jurgen Klopp in the post-game interviews.
Mourinho accepts Man Utd fans have the right to boo Fellaini
Stephen Creek
Dec 11, 2016 18:32:07
The midfielder's mistake against Everton meant he was given a rough ride at Old Trafford, and the manager admitted that the criticism was partially justified
Jose Mourinho accepted Manchester United fans' criticism of Marouane Fellaini as the midfielder was booed when he was sent on as a late substitute in the 1-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday.
Fellaini gave away a sloppy penalty that led to former club Everton's equaliser in a 1-1 draw in United's previous Premier League game last weekend and remains a divisise figure among the club's supporters due to his inconsistent form since leaving Goodison Park.
And the Old Trafford faithful made their feelings known when Fellaini was sent on against Spurs in the 97th minute and when he warmed up on the touchline.
Mourinho said of Fellaini's poor reception: "I accept it, because from the fans you have to accept everything, and especially from fans who are giving everything to us but are not getting anything from us.
"They get commitment and performance but they don't get results. I think the point was that they had in their minds the mistake Marouane did at Everton.
"Marouane is a player that I like, and a person that I like."
Liverpool slowly losing their grip, fear factor and fire after faltering again
Melissa Reddy
Dec 11, 2016 19:14:42
The Reds have taken one point from the last six on offer and as the competition ramps up at the top end of the table, they'll know it's not good enough
COMMENT
Anfield had been painted in glorious hues of purple and orange as the sun set on Sunday afternoon, but as Christmas carols followed the final whistle, there was little sign of festive cheer for Liverpool after their 2-2 draw with West Ham.
Another Sunday, another strong start, another defensive stumble and another occasion when Jurgen Klopp will know his men could have, and should have, acquitted themselves better.
After surrendering three points last weekend at Bournemouth, another two were ceded on their own turf as they now have to stretch their necks to look up at Chelsea, while Arsenal have recorded three victories on the spin.
Liverpool are slowly losing grip, confidence, authority and the fear factor that left opposition managers positively dreading lining up against Klopp’s side.
The Reds boss had demanded they strike back against West Ham following their disintegration at Dean Court, but there is no doubt the display fell short of expectations.
The hosts had started assertively, weaving probing patterns with the front three interchanging. They were rewarded after five minutes, with Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi and Sadio Mane combining excellently, before Adam Lallana controlled a ball from the Senegal international before sending a lovely left-footed finish into the far corner.
Loris Karius then made a good save to thwart Michail Antonio, who managed to evade Dejan Lovren and fire in a near-post shot.
But that highlight for the goalkeeper was soon smothered by question marks over his positioning for West Ham’s first, and his indecision for their second.
In a week in which he fielded and decided to respond to what Klopp described as “harsh criticism” from Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher, Karius had backed himself to alter the narrative on Sunday afternoon.
But, as Dimitri Payet lined up a free-kick on 27 minutes, the 23-year-old’s starting position had given the Frenchman too much of the goal to aim for. Karius managed to get his hand to the ball as it curled and dipped over the wall, but he couldn’t keep it out.
Liverpool, losing the plot and their control on the game, were then floored when Joel Matip was deceived by the trajectory of a looped ball, which allowed Antonio to run through on goal with Karius exposed.
The keeper was undecided on whether to rush out or hold his position, and the 26-year-old easily flicked an effort past him.
The German’s aim would’ve been to stick it to his critics at Anfield, but the first half merely supplied them with more ammunition.
Payet was fortunate not to concede a penalty for clattering into Lallana, before Matip headed the resulting corner onto the bar.
Half-time could not come quick enough for Liverpool, and they struck back sharply after the interval.
Darren Randolph continued the festive gifting from goalkeepers in the league by dropping Mane’s cross from the left to Origi, who converted from six yards.
Liverpool huffed and puffed, with Gini Wijnaldum posing a few problems for the Hammers’ backline and Jordan Henderson drawing a superb save from the visiting stopper.
Randolph stretched to change the trajectory of the 25-yard stunner, which was heading for the top corner.
To their credit, the Reds kept going until time was called, but they looked far from the juggernaut that left opponents jaded in the opening months of the season.
The creativity of Philippe Coutinho is undoubtedly a colossal miss, while Daniel Sturridge has now been sidelined for four games in a row with a calf issue that was initially labelled ‘minor.’
Emre Can has a knee problem to contend with and sat out the encounter, while Matip returned after an ankle complaint and Lallana made a first start since his groin injury.
As injuries continue to pick at Liverpool’s fine start to the season, their “watching” of the market may need to translate into action.
There should be no overreaction to the last two games, but equally, there can be no ignoring the fact that the Merseysiders need to elevate their standards again. And sharpish.
Conte discussing ´amazing offer´ with Chelsea amid Oscar speculation
16 December 2016
Antonio Conte has hinted that Chelsea have received an "amazing offer" for Oscar, with the Brazil playmaker nearing a move to the Chinese Super League.
Shanghai SIPG are reportedly prepared to pay €60million for Oscar and make him the highest-paid player in the world.
Oscar has only completed 90 minutes once this season, struggling to break into the 3-4-3 system that has propelled the Blues to the top of the Premier League on the back of 10 consecutive wins.
Conte told a news conference of his prospective exit: "I don't know exactly the amount or situation but I think in the right moment you'll know the situation, now we have to wait."
The former Italy coach would not be drawn on reports linking him with a move for Marco Verratti to replace Oscar, but confirmed he is happy to work with the Chelsea board in the transfer market.
"I talk with the club, with the board and I explained my thoughts about every situation," he added.
"It's normal. You're in the club and try to make the best decision. There are situations that are amazing and it's very difficult to try to solve the situation in the best way.
"When there are incredible situations it's very difficult to manage this.
"My style is to take always the decision together with the club and to understand also some strange situation or some amazing offer.
"Sometimes it's important also to be linked with the club to take the best decision to understand."
Conte does not fear the newly rich CSL poaching more players, as he expects the pulling power of Premier League football to trump financial gain in most cases.
He said: "The Chinese market is a danger for all teams in the world not only for Chelsea.
"But I think that we must be concentrated on our work, don't think that in China there is a lot of money and they can take the players.
"I think that this league is fantastic and to play in this league [Premier League] is a great opportunity, an honour, you must be very proud to play in this league because now he's in the best league in the world to play and for this reason I don't worry about this."
Show me the money! - Moyes frustrated by lack of transfer funds
15 December 2016
Sunderland manager David Moyes expected to be able to invest during next month's transfer window as he bemoaned the lack of funds at the club.
Prior to Wednesday's 1-0 loss at home to Premier League-leading Chelsea, chief executive Martin Bain admitted there would be "very limited funds" for Moyes in January with the strugglers up for sale.
And the situation has left Moyes - who replaced Sam Allardyce in the off-season - frustrated as Sunderland languish in the relegation zone and fight for survival.
"I knew I had a short summer and I wasn't going to do much business in the summer, because it was really difficult," Moyes lamented.
"But I did expect to be able to do some business in January."
Asked if Sunderland's activity in the January transfer market would be minimal, Moyes added: "That's my understanding from what I have been told."
Cesc Fabregas' 40th-minute goal condemned Sunderland to back-to-back defeats.
Sunderland are now a point adrift at the foot of the table and four points away from safety.
"The job is to work with the tools we have got," Moyes said. "We have got the squad, they have been here before and done it before so we get this squad to win the games.
"If they keep performing like they did tonight - in some aspects, not all - it will give us a chance.
"We have been disappointing in one or two games but not that many. We have been in the games and in with a chance, and tonight we were in the game and in with a chance."
'I like and trust my squad' - Mourinho does not expect incoming Manchester United transfers
Stefan Coerts
Dec 16, 2016 20:18:46
The Red Devils manager expects a quiet January transfer window when it comes to incoming players, but will not stand in a player's way should he want to leave
Jose Mourinho does not expect any new arrivals at Manchester United in the January transfer window, unless they sell other players first.
The United boss recently revealed that he would be open to selling anyone who is unhappy at Old Trafford, with Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay believed to be keen to move on.
The duo's exit could force United to enter the transfer market and add to their ranks, but Mourinho is not contemplating any deals for now.
"I like my squad, I trust my squad," said the Portuguese, whose side travel to West Brom on Saturday. "At the moment, if you ask me if I am waiting for someone to be here on the first of January, or if we are chasing some player because we want to have a new player here on the first of January, not at all.
"As I have said, I like to keep my squad the same.
"But as I told you and I repeat, as a manager I never feel that I have the right to stop people trying to be happier and trying to give a different direction to their careers.
"If the conditions are right for the club and that moment arrives during the month of January, then we will have to react.
"I am quiet and calm. I will see what happens. Let's just see what happens."
